Interest in hiking is still great, and not just among adults: last year alone, almost two million young people between the ages of 14 and 19 went hiking – this is shown by current statistics. In total, over 40 million people went on a hike in 2022. How often is not clear from the numbers. However, it can be assumed that experience increases with each route, especially when it comes to the right hiking clothing. The fact is: if you dress incorrectly, you will quickly lose the fun of hiking. On the one hand, we recommend the tried and tested onion principle, and on the other hand, you should always pay attention to functionality such as breathable and air-permeable materials (e.g. nylon, polyester, elastane and mesh) and the right fit. And that’s not all.
There are special T-shirts made from quick-drying materials for adults and children. Depending on what time of year you are traveling, it makes sense to choose a wide-cut model (in spring and summer) or a tight-fitting model (in autumn and winter). In any case, it is important that your hiking shirt wicks away moisture well. Depending on the manufacturer, you can choose between additional features, such as ventilated inserts on the back or special mesh inserts under the armpits.
When choosing suitable hiking pants, you should also make sure that the materials are breathable but also robust enough for longer tours. So-called zip-off trousers are particularly popular on trekking tours in summer: they have the advantage that the lower parts of the legs can be easily removed via a zip. This transforms the long hiking pants into short hiking shorts. There are suitable models for men and women. On cold and rainy days, however, hardshell trousers are recommended.
For warm summer days, functional shorts are also suitable for hiking: depending on the manufacturer, they are made of a flexible and quick-drying four-way stretch fabric, which should allow moisture to be better regulated. Models that are equipped with side and back pockets – or a (removable) belt – are particularly practical.
The counterpart to hiking shorts is the hiking skirt. In contrast to classic skirts, it has two advantages: On the one hand, it is made of moisture-regulating, odor-inhibiting and quick-drying materials. On the other hand, there are integrated inner pants under the skirt, so that freedom of movement is guaranteed at all times.
What no hike should be without, regardless of the season, is a suitable hiking jacket: While lightweight models such as a windbreaker or fleece jacket are sufficient in summer and for short distances, you should use waterproof rain jackets for longer trekking tours. On particularly cold and wet days (for example in autumn or winter), a windproof and rainproof hiking jacket is the better choice. There are also suitable models for men, women and children.
Poorly fitting socks can cause blisters on your feet on long tours. If they are too loose, wrinkles appear, which in turn cause friction. Special hiking socks are ideal for forests and meadows. On the one hand, they are breathable and on the other hand, the material is reinforced on the toes and heels – thus reducing pressure points. However, it is important that you make sure to choose the right size depending on the shaft height of your shoes. Accordingly, there are ankle or calf-high hiking socks.
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Headwear should also not be overlooked when you go hiking: on sunny and rainy days, wearing a hiking hat with UV protection is a good idea to keep your head cool and dry. Alternatively, a thick headscarf, a warm hat or a sporty cap can also be used as headgear on windy days.
After introducing you to the most important basics that you should wear when hiking, we would like to introduce you to the onion look in more detail. It consists of three layers and is broken down as follows:
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